When Orochimaru stood up, the Third Hokage turned to Danzo with a questioning look.
Orochimaru was now a Root shinobi. If he was stepping forward like this, had he not coordinated with Danzo beforehand?
Danzo kept his eyes half-shut, thinking, 'Another of Hiruzen's students rebelling. One after another, none of them listen anymore.'
Nawaki's death had left Orochimaru with lingering guilt toward Tsunade.
Now, seeing how resolute Tsunade was, Orochimaru decided to help her.
"I've been a bit preoccupied lately and forgot to submit my jōnin recommendations," Orochimaru said. "It seems this round of promotions is stirring up controversy. Why not wait for mine, and re-evaluate all the submissions together?"
Tsunade turned toward him, not understanding why Orochimaru was suddenly pushing for a delay.
Orochimaru, too, had gathered a circle of loyal subordinates. War forged unbreakable bonds, after all. Many had risen through the ranks or received new jutsu thanks to him—and Orochimaru, in turn, needed reliable hands to carry out his will.
Nara Shikakaku glanced toward the Third, who offered no objection. Taking the cue, he said:
"Very well. We'll wait for Orochimaru's recommendation and review the promotions again once the Konoha Hospital concludes its report."
Thus, the jōnin council ended hastily under Orochimaru's unexpected intervention.
Outside the Hokage Tower, Orochimaru and Tsunade walked side by side. The jōnin in the area tactfully made way, avoiding them without a word.
"Orochimaru, what are you doing interfering like that? Why sabotage my plans? Why help the Third?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "You think I'm helping the Third, Tsunade? I'm helping you. Hatake Sakumo is weak, the Uchiha carries original sin, why would you want to ally with them?"
"Hmph. Sakumo is soft? He's the White Fang of Konoha, respected even by Suna. How is that weak?"
Orochimaru gave her a look as if she were painfully naive.
"Anyone can be vicious to their enemies. The real ruthlessness is shown to your own."
"You don't understand Hiruzen or Danzo. Take Homura, for example—seems mild enough, right? He's got at least eight Konoha shinobi's deaths on his hands, if not more.
Tsunade, how many of your own have you killed?
The Senju clan preaches tolerance and compassion. Sakumo believes in bonds between comrades. The Uchiha believe in hardship. And you think any of that can stand against Danzo?
If it came down to it, could you kill five special jōnin from the Sarutobi clan to force the Third's hand?
They wouldn't hesitate to eliminate your people during a random mission—would you retaliate in kind?
Could you?"
Tsunade stood frozen, her gaze distant, looking no more confident than an academy student.
"Does it really have to be that cruel?"
Orochimaru sneered. "Listen to yourself. You sound as spineless as a slug."
"If you won't do what needs to be done, then quietly bide your time and gather strength. But don't act.
The shadows cast by Konoha's great tree run deeper than you imagine.
You either wait for the old guard to die off—or outdo them in ruthlessness.
Trying to make nice with Sakumo and the Uchiha? It's childish. You're being a fool, Tsunade, and it's like I don't even know you anymore."
Blood surged to Tsunade's head, pounding against her skull.
Could it be that Orochimaru was right? That she truly knew nothing of Konoha's darkness?
Yako was deeply disappointed in the jōnin council.
The critical confrontation had been cut short by Orochimaru's meddling—leaving Yako unsatisfied.
He returned to the Tsurugetsu Tavern, then erected a Soil Pulse Barrier.
He knew every detail of Konoha's defense network. He also knew no Hyūga were stationed nearby.
After a cautious half-hour of surveillance confirmed no suspicious figures, he performed a summoning.
With a puff of smoke, Pakkun appeared.
"What is it this time?" the small ninken asked.
"It's important," Yako replied seriously. "The village just passed a rule: all jōnin except for ANBU must serve at least once as an academy instructor within three years.
I want you to tell Lord Sakumo: keep an eye on a student named Namikaze Minato at the academy.
Make sure—no matter what—he takes Minato as a disciple.
The infighting among the jōnin will pass. But for Sakumo, taking Minato as his student is far more important."
Pakkun blinked, clearly confused. The Fox was specifically requesting Sakumo to take a student?
That was strange—so strange it must be serious.
He didn't ask further. He would deliver the message.
Late that night, Sakumo received the message from Pakkun—and was just as surprised.
The next day, Sakumo brought Kakashi to the gates of the academy.
A passing shinobi greeted him. "Lord White Fang! What brings you to the academy?"
In the jōnin council, Sakumo might rank as a lesser vice-commander, but to ordinary shinobi, he was a figure of immense respect.
"I brought Kakashi to get a feel for the school atmosphere," Sakumo replied.
Kakashi stared curiously at the schoolyard, where senior students were sparring.
It didn't take long before Sakumo spotted his target—a boy with bright blond hair: Namikaze Minato.
Minato was in the middle of a match with a student from the Uchiha clan.
The Uchiha were known for early development. Their children often showed exceptional talent from a young age.
But Sakumo noticed something different in Minato immediately.
Composure. Too composed.
Whether it was a punch to the face or a kick to the knee, Minato calmly tracked every movement.
His pupils followed the Uchiha's form closely, absorbing each detail.
That level of focus and reactivity was extraordinary for his age.
And reaction speed… was one of a shinobi's most essential gifts.
Sakumo's own kenjutsu was built on it. Even without the power of his famed White Fang blade, he could carve a path with nothing more than a kunai.
He was stunned. With this kind of perception and reflex, Minato would rise quickly—whether in taijutsu, kenjutsu, or ninjutsu.
No. More than that—he could rise to elite jōnin with ease.
No wonder the Fox had gone out of his way to issue such a directive.
Minato's talent was truly unnatural.
"Let's go, Kakashi. You'll be entering next year. Make sure you listen well to your teachers when the time comes."
Early the next morning, at the ANBU base—
Purple Cat submitted a mission report.
Yako skimmed the scroll. It was a Jinchūriki surveillance assignment.
Uzumaki Kushina's every known associate was under ANBU monitoring.
Her close friends—Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Mikoto—were under heightened observation.
Last night, the Yak Squad had been on rotation. They noted something new with Kushina's closest friend—Minato.
After school, he had been training alone when he encountered a man and a boy.
Hatake Sakumo had begun teaching Kakashi the basics of kunai and shuriken.
The three had met at the training ground.
Yako closed the scroll.
"Purple Cat. Deliver this report to Butterfly. Tell her I'll personally handle surveillance from now on.
If it involves Hatake Sakumo, the other captains will be too conspicuous. Only I can complete the mission."
"Understood, Captain."